VIC · Gippsland — Bass Coast & Phillip Island · Local council, made simple
Bass Coast Shire Council
A coastal shire in Gippsland, south-east of Melbourne, home to about 44,000 people — and many more in summer. It takes in Phillip Island, San Remo, Wonthaggi, Inverloch, Cape Paterson and the Western Port towns of Grantville and Corinella. The council runs your bins and tips, local roads and footpaths, parks and foreshores, and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: average general rates +2.75% (state cap)
Open →Budget & financesBass Coast's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,727 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyBass Coast's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
7 of 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate (rates are per resident)
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillors, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Brett Tessari (since 29 Apr 2026)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Bass Coast's wards vote, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, service centres and hours.
Phone: 1300 226 278 (1300 BCOAST)
Open →Shire profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 44,377 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
5 updatesRecent items from Bass Coast Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
We check Bass Coast Shire Council's website every day, but we can't read it. It refuses requests from our collector, so anything below was recorded by hand and may be out of date. This says nothing about what the council has published — these are the pages we watch:
- Have your say
Nature Positive Strategy out for community feedback
The council is seeking feedback on a draft Nature Positive Strategy, its next long-term plan for protecting and restoring nature across Bass Coast, including the proposed vision, pillars and guiding principles. An Action Plan for 2026–2029 will follow.
What this means for you: The consultation draft and the feedback form are on Engage Bass Coast.
Source: Engage Bass Coast
- Have your say
Council seeks feedback on a new two-part waste charge
The council is consulting on splitting the waste charge into a waste collection charge for properties with kerbside bins and a municipal waste charge for all rateable properties. About 4,000 properties without kerbside collection don't pay a waste charge now. Drop-in sessions run from 21 September to 6 October 2026.
What this means for you: If adopted, kerbside properties would pay slightly less and properties without kerbside collection would start paying the municipal part. The council says charges would be set in the 2027–28 budget.
Source: Engage Bass Coast
- Policy
2026–27 budget adopted: average rates +2.75%, waste charge $681.73
At its meeting on 17 June 2026 the council adopted the 2026–27 budget, with the Annual Action Plan, Revenue and Rating Plan and fees and charges. Average general rates rise 2.75%, in line with the state cap. The standard waste charge rises to $681.73, with a new 20% rebate for eligible pensioners.
What this means for you: Rates notices go out in July or August. Your bill can change by more or less than 2.75%, depending on your property's value and type.
Source: Engage Bass Coast
- Development
$632,000 federal grant for planning the former Wonthaggi Secondary College site
The council welcomed $632,000 from the Australian Government's regional Partnerships and Precincts Fund to plan the future of the former Wonthaggi Secondary College site, vacant since 2019. The council is consulting on how the site could be used.
What this means for you: You can have your say on the site's future on Engage Bass Coast.
Source: Bass Coast Shire Council — News
- Election
Cr Brett Tessari elected Mayor, Cr Ron Bauer Deputy Mayor
At a council meeting on 29 April 2026, the councillors elected Cr Brett Tessari (Bunurong Ward) as Mayor, after Cr Rochelle Halstead resigned from the office of Mayor, and Cr Ron Bauer (Island Ward) as Deputy Mayor.
What this means for you: The councillors choose the Mayor. The next mayoral election is scheduled for Wednesday 18 November 2026.
Source: Bass Coast Shire Council — News
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Bass Coast Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.